ABSTRACT
But the infant colony seemed drifting towards what Governor Bowen called 'the chronic blockade of the southern colonies',2 for there was a 'strong and unanimous feeling' against the squatters, and the Executive Council was preparing for trouble by its complacent faith in resumption.3 The first parliament, however, attacked the problem in a comprehensive manner and, if Bowen's claim that
, the four Acts 'settled that long quarrel between pastoral and agricultural interests which has waged in all new countries since Abel' cannot be conceded, at least it must be admitted that the Acts were unique. The fresh outlook of the young English Premier, Herbert, and the practical experience of Treasurer Mackenzie, himself a squatter, combined to make the settlement both novel and politic.
